Beer, Meat and Baptisms!

Hello family and friends,  its been a while I hope you are all doing well!!! Second week in the field and I am loving it. Although walking eight miles a day and the scorching sun and humidity is a challenge for sure. 😊

While walking you will see lots of Brazilian street art.

There was this family that we visited that were drinking a ton of beer and I mean a ton, like two Walmart (yes, Walmart is in Brazil) bags overflowing with beer cans. They offer me some meat and looking at how they prepared it, I was a little concerned. They offered some to me and of course I did not want to offend them mostly because of all the alcohol they drank; so I took it. Sister Lara motions for me to eat and I refuse, so she stands up to block me from their view and I stealthily and quickly throw the meat in a bag, they didn't notice a thing and I didn't have to eat it. #missionaccomplished.😌

Sister Lara and Sister Smart.

We had a baptism last week for a sweet girl named Thaissa. She is about thirteen years old and at the baptism the Spirit was incredibly strong! She wants to serve a mission in the United States so it's nice to be able to use a little English to help her learn, she loves it!

This week I learned that miracles only come after we exercise our faith. Miracles aren't the big things like seeing angels they are the happy moments each day that keep us going and the changes we see in our investigators. We had a few more people at church than usual. We answered a man's prayer that God still loves him; we talked with a man that said he had prayed and yelled saying that God didn´t exist because of the struggles he is having. Then a day later we show up at his door and he said that we were an answer to his prayer. I really hope that we can help him!

There is this cute little boy, every time he sees a picture of the Savior at church he points and says ´´Jesus, Jesus!´´ So during a recent sacrament meeting, before our baptismal service all of a sudden Dexter, the little boy points to the ceiling of the church and says ´´Jesus, Jesus!´´ I know, that the Savior is always with us and is there to comfort each of us.

We also have spent time this past week with one of my favorite couples, Gerlene and Dinho, two of our investigators and Dinho's brother walks in one hundred percent drunk and is just babbling, he points at me and says "beautiful"...we all laughed so hard because he was so drunk.😮

I learned this week that miracles aren't big but the really little things that happen everyday. I realized I need to learn and recognize the little things. We are planning on two baptisms this week! Thaissa's mom and brother (hoping to send a picture of all of them this week!)
The little kids hugs and smiles brighten mine. Miracles are in all of your lives I know it! Have an awesome week, I love you all!

Yet another Brazilian rainbow - Miracles do happen!

Mission Tour/Conference with Elder & Sister Carlos R. Toledo.

What a great mission conference! The mission President and Sister Pedro Acosta hosted a mission tour/conference held April 27 and April 28, 2018. A visiting authority and his wife, Elder Carlos R. & Sis. Marcia Toledo spoke to the missionaries. [ The photos of the mission conference are located on the mission Facebook page via the link on the right.]

Quorums of the Seventy (Area Seventies) - Elder Carlos R. & Sis. Marcia Toledo

General Authority Seventies have authority to serve anywhere in the world. Other Seventies are called Area Seventies, and their authority is generally limited to the area where they serve. Elder Toledo serves in the Seventh Quorum of the Seventy, serving in Brazil and South America South Areas.

Carlos R. Toledo, 51, Vinhedo, Brazil; human resources officer, Abril Educação; former bishop, branch president, high councilor, mission president’s counselor, mission president, and stake president; married to Marcia Toledo, three children.

Brazil São Paulo South Mission - Pres. Pedro & Sis. Glicia Acosta

Pedro Aurelio Mendes Acosta, 59, and Glicia Maria Menezes Dos Santos Acosta, three children, Glória Ward, Manaus Brazil Rio Amazonas Stake: Brazil São Paulo South Mission, succeeding President Phillip E. Broadbent and Sister Laura J. Broadbent. Brother Acosta serves as an assistant area auditor and is a former mission presidency counselor, stake presidency counselor, branch president, and stake family history center director. Systems analyst supervisor, Corporation of the President. Born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, to Juan Anair Acosta and Ananda Mendes Acosta.

Sister Acosta is a former stake Primary presidency counselor, ward Relief Society and Young Women president, public affairs director, and seminary teacher. Born in Manaus, Brazil, to Lindolfo Cardoso Santos Filho and Edna Menezes Santos.

[The photos above are the property of their respective owner(s), and may include individual copyrights; additionally, may include rights given to Facebook such as a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensee, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content, including the above photos. https://www.facebook.com/missaosaopaulosulcesso ]

Mission Home Arrival and First Week in New Area!

I have arrived to my first area, first meeting at the mission home on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, arriving by bus and met by Pres. and Sister Acosta and other missionaries! The photos below are of Pres. Acosta and other missionaries watching for us to come off the bus, just after exiting the bus, the group of eighteen new missionaries just new from the CTM; where Sister Allison Thomson and I are the only Americans with this group, and me meeting and with my new companion, Sister Lara. As well, a photo of me with Pres. and Sister Acosta. My new companion, Sister Lara is from the State of Paraná, Paraná-PR in Southern Brazil; the state just South of where we are at, the state of São Paulo-SP. What a crazy two weeks it has been!

[The photos above are the property of their respective owner(s), and may include individual copyrights; additionally, may include rights given to Facebook such as a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensee, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content, including the above photos. https://www.facebook.com/missaosaopaulosulcesso ]

This week was really hard to adjust to and I have found that my Portuguese is a little rough around the edges. Speaking to native people is way different than speaking with CTM teachers and instructors. We walk a lot here and all of the paths of cobblestone are super bumpy and my left ankle is having some issues 😊. But I think, as I get adjusted my ankle will go back to normal. I also have tons of blisters but I know that will phase out as well.

Brazilian Walkways or Paths of Cobblestone

I have gotten used to the Brazilian diet or food so that's good. I actually think I may gain some weight here ... yet with all the walking it will not be a problem 😄. Here we eat meals with church members at lunch time and they always insist we eat a lot of food. It's always some kind of pasta and meat.

My companion is Sister Lara. She is from Southern Brazil, the State of  Paraná and is super, super nice! She is also the Sister Training Leader and has been out here for almost a year. She has been in our area, Cursino for about three months and knows pretty much everyone here. They all love her. She teaches so well and follows the Spirit to know what to say. She always encourages me and tells me that in about three weeks I will be able to understand one hundred percent and speak really well. She said she knew before I came that she was going to train an American sister. She always helps put a smile on my face when I am down and says that one day she is certain I will be training other missionaries too. Some of the members have said that for only being here for two months its miraculous how well I can speak in comparison to other missionaries they have seen and known. Our area is Cursino and I really like it here! There are many people that accept our messages. My favorite place to share messages is with the people in the favelas.  A favela (Portuguese pronunciation: [faˈvɛlɐ]), Brazilian Portuguese for slum, is a low-income historically informal urban area in Brazil. Now don't freak out its not as dangerous as one may have heard 😊.
We had a baptism this week!!! Her name is Thaissa and she is almost thirteen. She has a strong testimony and is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. Her family is also preparing for baptism her mom, Crisi, brother Gabriel and little Mateus that isn't quite old enough. Cute Mateus gives the biggest hugs and wants me to hold a "class" just for him to teach him English. Gabriel calls me Sister "Smartchee phone", and loves to joke with me. We went to the park the other day and had a lot of fun! We also had a family night with them and ate Brigadiera which is like fudge and watched a movie. I love that family so much!

Brigadier - A Brazilian Treat that Tastes Like Fudge

I also tried chicken hearts before I left the CTM with my district. They were surprisingly good although somewhat disturbing. I´m not dead yet, so I guess you could say chicken hearts are A-okay to eat.
Love you all!

Four CTM Sisters Singing!

Four Sister Missionaries singing I Know That My Redeemer Lives at the São Paulo Brazil Center to Train Missionaries (CTM) on April 8, 2018.
[Video sent/shared by Ted Whitaker, São Paulo Brazil CTM, April 13, 2018]
Click here or on image to play video.

Purpose of Music in the Church:
In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord said, “My soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads” (D&C 25:12).

The First Presidency said:
“Inspirational music is an essential part of our church meetings. The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord.
“Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end” (Hymns, ix).

Official Mission Website - São Paulo, Brazil South Mission (LDS): http://www.missaosaopaulosul.com.br/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missaosaopaulosulcesso

Mission Home Address: Av. Dr. Luis Rocha Miranda, 159 8° Andar Jabaquara 04344-010 Sao Paulo- SP Brazil

Lyrics: I Know That My Redeemer Lives

1. I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

2. He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

3. He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.

4. He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

Unison
Harmony

Text: Samuel Medley, 1738-1799. Included in the first LDS hymnbook, 1835.Music: Lewis D. Edwards, 1858-1921
D&C 76:22-24, 41-42
Job 19:25

Farewell CTM and a Lizard Named Felipe!

Hello from São Paulo Brazil. Sister Thomson and I did proselyting this past Saturday [April 7, 2018] on the same long street Avenida Paulista and we talked to some pretty spectacular Brazilian people! It was fantastic! There was a girl with bright, pink glasses about college age that we passed not once but twice which is very, very rare on the busy street we were on. I was able to pick her out from the crowd and I knew that it was the Spirit telling me to talk to her. I went up to her and we had an awesome conversation about school and important things in her life. I told her that I had a message that could bring her peace and understanding. After a long, long hesitation she refused but I know that very soon she will be ready. Her spirit was incredibly strong and I could feel God's love for her.

On fast Sunday I had the most powerful testimony meeting of my life! Missionaries, one in purpose, works miracles. I bore my testimony about how with God's help we can never fail and referenced Doctrine and Covenants, Section 90, verses 10 and 11.

[Verses 8–11, The gospel is to be preached to the nations of Israel, to the Gentiles, and to the Jews, every man hearing in his own tongue.]

10 And then cometh the day when the arm of the Lord shall be revealed in power in convincing the nations, the heathen nations, the house of Joseph, of the gospel of their salvation.

11 For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ.

At our devotional this past week, we were able to meet President Acosta, [the mission president for the Brazil São Paulo South Mission] because he was speaking! He is super nice and he said that he is very excited to have us in the field. He told us he expects us to work really, really hard and be obedient. Also, he said that the best missionaries are sent to São Paulo South and that it really is the best mission in the world with the kindest members and investigators! Sister Thomson and I are the only Americans going to São Paulo South this transfer. Apparently they don't have a lot of Sisters in our mission currently. Also, there are fourteen elders going this transfer.

I know that God is helping me learn the language and become the missionary he wants me to be! I know that life can be hard, there have definitely been some hard things here in the CTM, but I know that God always provides a way. I know that if  I or anyone look back at your day there is always something good to be found. God loves to send each and every one of us miracles!

There was  a lizard in our classroom this week that freaked me out half to death 😨. Our instructor Irmão Lima found it running around and thought it would be a good idea to pick it up by its tail and throw it out the window. He picked it up and accidentally ripped its tail off in the process.

Brazilian Lizard

It ran off to hide somewhere else in the classroom 😨. He runs up to us in the hallway to tell us what happened (that's what you get for having a 24 year old instructor). I walk into the room and I had this gut feeling it was under my bag on the floor. I lift up my bag and there it was. It starts crawling towards me and I scream and run out of the classroom 😬. Another classroom of Brazilian missionaries run into the classroom to make sure nobody was dying! My red face said it all that's for sure! My instructor left the tail on an Elders scriptures so that he could find that happy surprise in the morning. They then threw it out the window and named him 'Felipe'.

Sunrise - Dawn, São Paulo-SP, Brazil

The work here is good and I am happy! I leave for the field this Tuesday[, April 17th, 2018] so I could possibly teach my first lesson with my new companion that night! I am a bit nervous regarding speaking Portuguese well  but I know God will provide! Have an awesome week! Thanks again for all of your prayers!

A common sight in São Paulo-SP, Brazil

[Mission Overview São Paulo South - from the São Paulo South Mission website - http://www.missaosaopaulosul.com.br/]

"I rejoice and give thanks for this glorious call to represent the Lord Jesus Christ as a missionary in the São Paulo South Mission. I work with all my heart, power, mind and strength and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit in everything I do I work urgently to hasten the work of the Lord at this time. I open my mouth on every occasion declaring the gospel in a tone of rejoicing. I exercise faith, works, and obedience to obtain the POWER that is necessary to achieve my goals and I make personal goals of baptism, which require my best efforts and the Lord's help, and I baptize people well prepared to accept the baptismal covenants every week. I help my converts stand firm and faithful to the end-all my life. São Paulo South Mission, the best mission in the world !!! "

"Learn from me and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit and you will have peace in me." (D & C 19:23)

Three Cookies and Three Sister Missionaries!

Here is a picture of me. It is [preparation day or] p-day with my sweet companions. We are having a  break [at  Mr. Cheney's Cookies across the street, North from the São Paulo Brazil CTM]. I love you all!

[Photos taken by business owner of https://www.missionties.com to promote their online missionary care package business; photos and message sent to my family via email by business owner on April 11, 2018]

Sister Smart at Mr Cheney's Cookies - April 6, 2018 [ http://www.mrcheney.com.br ]

R. Padre Antônio D'Ângelo, 142 - Casa Verde, São Paulo - SP, 02516-040, Brazil

From Left to Right - Sister Smart, Sister Thomson, Sister Aranda

Giant, Flying Cockroaches and Palm Trees!

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is doing super great! It feels like it has been forever since I have seen you all! Its crazy that I have been out here for over a month and I only have two more weeks till I go into the field! All of the missionaries I have talked to say that your mission flies by and they are so right!

Sister Thomson and I got a new companion named Sister Aranda, she is from California, so we are now a glorious trio! Three crazy sisters in Brazil leads to some pretty fantastic experiences! Last week we had the opportunity to watch General Conference here at the CTM. All of us missionaries were able to sit together and raise our hands to sustain President Nelson and the other Apostles. My heart was touched and I had a strong confirmation that they are the men that represent Christ. I know that they know the Savior and through them I can come to know Him too.

A few sisters have come up to me asking about language tips because apparently Elder Jarchow, our zone leader told some sister missionaries to talk to Sister Thomson and I if they need help with the language. Also, my Brazilian splits companion said I am almost fluent, but I am definitely not. 😊  Not sure what those two are thinking. I have a lot of  learning still to do with regards to the Portuguese language. But I know that I have  divine help in learning what I need to learn. I feel like each day I am able to memorize impossible amounts of content.

On April Fools day which we call the "day of the lies" in Brazil, we played a prank on the four elders in our district. We put salt in all of their water bottles, and wrote, "Forgive, don't be salty." Watching them spit out the salty water all over the floor was the highlight of my life, we laughed so hard. Of course they didn't think it was us at first but eventually they found out! They got us back by somehow getting some of our books stuck together that took us  about twenty minutes to fix, so that was a struggle.

Brazil keeps me on my toes as well! The cockroaches here are about an index finger long, I freak out every time they fly towards my face, 😬 and yes, I said fly.The palm trees here are perfect and can be found everywhere which makes my heart happy😁.

 São Paulo, Brazil landscape

Giant Brazilian cockroach - these things fly!

Unfortunately, I learned that they don't have root-beer or peanut butter here so that is kind of disappointing. Also, for some reason you have to always eat your pizza with a fork. I love you all and I hope you have a fantastic week! Thank you for your prayers!